Recently I wrote about the queries that resulted when I Googled “Digital Marketing Agency”. I had several people ask me… ‘Why didn’t you include our website in your post!?’, to which I responded – they need to fire their SEO people; as their website was not a result, and I had only included ranking pages (with the one exception of RankPop).

However, it also made me wonder what results would come up when I searched for “Digital Marketing Agency + Location”; and thus a series has begun.

Responsive Website Template

Social Media– Links to share, and links to company pages

Content– The ability to manage & create engaging content

In addition to those (and even expanding on them) – things such as accessibility of site, feasibility to navigate the pages (How hard is it for me to find a ‘Contact Us/About Us’; Is there a link to a blog?, etc); am I leaving the page with a mild case of vertigo (like I did with Netmax in my first search), etc.

Like this:

Recently I had my first interview that I would truly describe as ‘kick ass’. It made me realize that the reason it was so kick ass, was because I knew precisely where my true passions lie; and while I have a wealth of knowledge and experience – articulating that is difficult for me; unless it is something I am die hard passionate about. Start Up’s and small businesses are one of those things.

The amazing opportunity that defining and discovering who you are at 28 vs 18; is that I have truly learned who I am, what I value, and where I want to go. I know what I am passionate about; what I crave – and more so, I know what it will take to get there; which are things I did not know 10 years ago.

The reality is; that ultimate desire for true success – trumps anything that I may or may not have ever known in the past. I know my strengths and weaknesses – and I know exactly what must be done to hone in on both to make them work in my favor (or those whom I may work for!).

Like this:

Let’s talk Websites…

We are at the end of 2013, and yet I am still shocked at many ‘digital marketing agencies’ attempts at logos and websites. I decided I would Google the first couple of pages under the term and compare… After all, if I am comparing as a prospect employee, imagine what potential clients are thinking when viewing the sites!

Now, when I searched, I searched without quotations or additives, digital marketing agency. (And I admit, I use Bing! not Google; typically…). Within moments I had at my disposal 20,100,000 websites. That said, those that appear on the first couple of pages, are obviously doing some clever SEO work to appear, so you would assume they are all high quality.

WRONG!

Responsive Websites: Again people, we are closing in on 2014. People view websites from more than their “PC”. Tablets, phones, laptops… It is essential to have a website built with a responsive page design. You want to be appealing towards your potential client, not having them struggle to even view your website.

Social Media: Every business should have a presence on the web, and more importantly on major social media platforms. Certainly you should be having accessibly links to your pages on your website… ESPECIALLY AS A FREAKING DIGITAL MARKETING AGENCY. And yet… so many companies failed at this… WHAT THE FLIP??? HOUSTON YOU’VE GOT A BIG PROBLEM!!!

Content: I again remind you these are companies claiming they will help build and manage your online brand, and yet they can’t even do so for themselves? That should make any and all potential client run straight for the damn hills (AKA any other agency!)

There were websites I loved, SOSOSOMUCHSO, I wanted to beg and plead they hire me right then and there just based off their website!(Let me reiterate ‘this SO MUCH’… HI RANKPOP! You love me too right??!!) There were websites that scattered information in such an awful moving style mixed with the circus colors they chose, I honestly almost threw up from the vertigo it created. There were websites that took nine years to load… Websites I swear were from “Angelfire” in 1996. However, the majority of websites fell into one of the following categories…:

Like this:

I am often asked about my unique approach and ability to market and brand myself. More times than I can count, I have been applauded. I humbly accept the compliments, trying to not be dismissive but still knowing I am strong at some things, and weak in others.

Aren’t we all?

Perhaps this is obvious, but it is still so desperately needs to be heard.

I was pumped. Not because I really care about what a VS model says, nor do I have any tiff with Ms. Swift, but because I finally figured someone was brave enough to express their personal opinion on America’s ‘sweetheart’.

But just as quickly as I was pumped, I was instantly let down. The model was very tactful in her statement, stating

“I think what you find is that for a lot of us, we’ve been working for 14, 15 years; what it takes to make it here comes from experience and confidence and knowing how to be confident with yourself. I think it comes with age. It’s definitely the benchmark of all jobs.”

Whether or not Taylor rocked the catwalk or not, I don’t know. I do know however, the model was merely stating personal opinion, and more so a tactful and counted opinion. I applaud that.

Perhaps companies need to stop being so hyper-paranoid to offend, and be more willing to be honest and unique. Unique strengths will outweigh boring and typical any day (Just ask David and Goliath).